We have a deep relationship with the safari guides in Tanzania. In fact, the average Head Guide has worked with Thomson Safaris for over 20 years! Most of our guests build strong relationships with their guides over just a few days. Imagine our feelings after two decades! They’re not just a piece of the organization – they’re a part of the family.

When Phanuel Saimon, a Head Guide and longtime friend, passed away unexpectedly last year, the guides agreed to start some sort of health and training initiative. Reportedly, few guides took the time to attend regular checkups, and that made some nervous about their general health.

Say no more! Eager to help, Rick Thomson and Judi Wineland scheduled a visit from a health and nutrition expert in the area. Here he is collecting data from the team!

Arusha staff collecting health stats for safari guides

Ninety percent of the guides participated, attending informational training sessions and receiving a Body Mass Index reading as a health baseline. From there, many were ready to hit the ground running – literally!

Starting One Stride at a Time

“More than half of the staff decided to start jogging and have a diet plan to make us healthier and stronger – to perform our duties well and make a healthy organization,” said Elizabeth Mwakajila, FoTZC (Focus on Tanzanian Communities) Project Coordinator. “For us, being healthy will transform the health behavior for our family as well.”

Elizabeth has been an absolute role model, walking over 3 miles every morning and 8 miles on Saturdays. But she’s not the only inspiring personality on the team.

Leonard Temba created a running and exercise group, gathering the staff he works with to jog a new running trail in the Eastern Serengeti camp, which they affectionately call the Judi Tracking Trail. Apparently, it’s not so surprising to find them running with guests as well!

Leonard’s big goal is more than a daily jog, though. He and fellow Head Guide Hashim Kindu plan to take over the Ngorongoro Marathon, arranging a 1,000-person race through one of Tanzania’s most iconic locations. For Leonard and Hashim, this won’t be their first time participating in the race.

Their Health, Our Commitment

Health is an incredibly important part of Thomson Safaris’ work. Ethical employment opportunities have been a cornerstone of the company’s mission since its inception in 1981. To us, that doesn’t just mean hiring locally in Tanzania and providing some of the highest wages in the industry. It means providing excellent health care and access to health care opportunities, too.

We’re thrilled to see guides leading the charge! Maybe we’ll start a run club in our Watertown, MA office…

Going on safari, I knew I was going to see beautiful and unique things. I’ve spent the last six months describing that beauty to guests on the phone, so I was excited to finally absorb it all firsthand. The golden grasses, endless plains, colorful sunsets – I was prepared to see it all.

But I wasn’t prepared for Tanzania to thrill each of my other senses as well. There was so much more to the classic safari experience than seeing beautiful sights, but let’s start there.

What I saw

Giraffe at Eastern Serengeti Nature Refuge

The plains weren’t just endless and golden. In every direction, I was gazing into an oil painting. The grasses glowed in the sunshine. Broad green brush strokes faded into the blonde waves. Families of giraffe and silhouettes of acacia trees stood juxtaposed against a cloudless sky.

At night, the sky was not just filled with stars – it was covered. A burst of color swept over the tree line – violet, pink, teal, silver. The milky way. Not in the planetarium, not through a telescope, but right there in my line of vision.

What I tasted

Thomson Safaris Nyumba Camp Dining Tent

I was nervous about the food before my safari. All my colleagues assured me the food was delicious and flavorful, but I’m a picky eater. Regardless, I vowed to at least try everything– and I’m glad I did.

Otherwise, I would have missed out on juicy papaya and cheese omelets in the morning and steak salad with ice cream for lunch! Each dinner started with a soup so flavorful and spiced so delicately, it was somehow both simple and complex. From comforting sweet potato and pumpkin to the new green banana and beef, every meal was smooth and exciting. My only regret is not eating more and convincing the chef to give me the recipe.

What I heard

A lion’s call can be quite loud!

As we drove through the Woodlands of Lake Manyara, we were just about to head back to the park gate when we came across a lone male elephant. He was strolling slowly, dragging his trunk along the ground, before stopping at a bush for a snack. Our guide turned the vehicle off so we could sit in peace and quiet, observing his meal time. And then he flapped his ears. It was like shaking out a beach towel or a flag waving in the wind – gentle and soft. The detail of the wrinkles around his eyes, and the curl of his trunk you could capture in a picture – but the serene swish of his ears struck the entire group. We weren’t dreaming. This animal was real, right in front of us, just snacking and staying cool.

What I smelled

The view from my verandah at Gibb’s Farm

As much as I wanted to stay snug in my bed at Gibb’s Farm until the last possible moment, I also wanted to soak in every bit of the cottage while I had the chance. So, on both mornings I woke up before the wakeup call. I put on my slippers and bathrobe and grabbed an extra blanket from the trunk. When the staff arrived with coffee, I poured myself a cup, wrapped myself in a blanket, and sat on my private verandah to watch the day break. The freshly roasted coffee swirled around me, mixing with the crisp dew on the grass. This was a completely new experience, and yet something about the simplicity of the dew and the complexity of the coffee triggered a sense of nostalgia. Like this was the exact place and the exact moment I’d wanted to come back to.

What I felt

The interior of my Nyumba tent

The camp staff were the best!

When we arrived at our first camp in the Eastern Serengeti the entire staff was standing outside, smiling, waving, and eagerly waiting for us to join them. Throughout our stay, they put so much thought and care into the simplest details. At night, I’d slip under the covers to find the sheets already warm and cozy from the hot water bottle they placed there. Around the camp fire, they brought out blankets and snacks before I could even ask. When we returned from each of our game drives, they were waiting by the vehicles to greet us with high fives and hugs. Not just with the warmth of the blankets and the endless offerings of food, but with their genuine attitudes and friendship, I felt as though I’d come home to family and friends after a long absence.

Another year, another hugely exciting placement on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best list! We’re proud to announce Thomson Safaris’ was voted a “World’s Best Safari Outfitter” by the readers and travelers of T+L.

What does that mean? Travelers themselves rated experiences with safari outfitters on a 100-point scale, measuring organizations on “staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and overall value.”

On that scale, Thomson Safaris was honored to receive an overall average score of 97.23! That grade marks our group as one of the world’s preeminent safari outfitters – an honor very few are fortunate enough to receive.

Of course, we couldn’t have achieved this without stellar feedback from our incredible guests. Thank you to all who voted for us in T+L’s World’s Best surveys!

Why are we particularly excited about this? Gibb’s Farm is a key component of many of our safari experiences. It’s a special part of our experience, our home and your adventure.

This glowing feedback reaffirms our warm feelings about Gibb’s and bolsters our continued investment to the location – not to mention we love kind words from guests themselves!

T+L publishes these yearly surveys with feedback from readers and travelers. Not an editorial board, not paid critics – travelers like you rated Gibb’s Farm the best safari lodge in all of Africa.

Why do Travelers Love Gibb’s Farm?

T+L readers rate locations based on “facilities, location, service, food and drink and overall value.” Praise for Gibb’s mentioned the 75-acres of lush garden landscape, fresh farm-to-table meals and close proximity to Ngorongoro Crater and its wildlife.

But there’s much more to be said, and you don’t have to take our word for it! Here’s what other travelers have said about Gibb’s Farm:

“I own 4 boutique hotels and 12 restaurants. We are proud of our record of accomplishment. We could learn much from Gibb’s Farm, an amazing experience – authentic, relevant and a new standard for service and creativity. And great for kids and adults.” Bruce T. (July ’16 guest)

For many, a safari is a lifelong dream, one they enjoy planning well in advance. But if opportunity knocks, you may have very little time to plan for an unforgettable adventure. I learned that firsthand when I had the chance to head out on safari…with only two weeks to prepare!

Here’s what I learned getting ready for the trip of a lifetime…with next to no time:

TO DO: BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check Your Passport: In many African countries, your passport will need to be valid at least six months beyond your planned return date! (Luckily, I renewed mine a while ago just in case!)

Look at Flights: Don’t book flights until you’ve booked your safari (timing can be tricky).Do look into the cost and length of flights before committing. Flights add a day or more at either end of your trip, and costs vary significantly!

Secure the Right Luggage: Soft-sided duffels with a max weight of 33 lbs are required, due to restrictions on internal flights. I was able to borrow mine from one of my team members.

TO DO: 1-2 WEEKS BEFORE DEPARTURE

Tick Through your Packing List: I’m pretty type-A, so I make packing lists for most trips. Luckily, if you’re not, Thomson provides travelers with a thorough list. I started setting aside items as soon as I knew I’d be traveling to give myself plenty of time to secure everything! Be thorough; on safari, you can’t rely on popping into a pharmacy for things like toothpaste or over-the-counter medications.

Alert Friends/Institutions About Your Trip: I planned ahead to make sure bills would be paid, financial institutions would know I was away, and pets and plants would be cared for. Safaris are remote, and may last up to three weeks; it pays to take extra precautions. Because communication might be delayed (or at times impossible), be sure someone trusted has a copy of your house key, and of your flight and itinerary information.

TO DO: 48 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE

Tips and Souvenirs: Calculate how much cash you’ll need to tip guides and staff, and how much you’d like to spend on souvenirs and gifts. Merchants likely won’t take credit cards, and you won’t have access to ATMs!

What Don’t You Need?: Overpacking is as big a risk as leaving something behind. Working at Thomson, I knew not to pack items I couldn’t use or wouldn’t need, like hair dryers, formalwear, and valuables. Non-biodegradable beauty products may not be allowed (check with your operator). I knew laundry was available, so I planned daily outfits to leave myself the most room for souvenirs!

What Might You Need?: On a regular trip, I wouldn’t pack Bandaids, Pepto Bismol, or Advil, but on safari you need to plan for every possibility!

Digital Disconnect: Even when you have WiFi access, certain capabilities might be limited. I checked emails and put up an away message (and caught up on favorite shows!) to prepare.

Double (and Triple) Check your Itinerary: Know when you need to be at the airport, when you’re arriving, and who to contact upon landing. (Traveling with Thomson, I knew my driver would be waiting at the airport!)

Build in Time for Visas: Last-minute travelers will need to spend extra time in their arrival airport dealing with visas.
When you choose Tanzania, you can take care of these upon landing. And if you choose Thomson, your driver will be waiting for you once you’re done!

The office wished me well with the traditional Thomson Safaris end-off. I’ll be back soon to tell you all how amazing Tanzania is – I can’t wait to see elephants!

For many couples, a Tanzania safari is the ultimate honeymoon. Safari-goers are far from home, disconnected from technology, and experiencing brand new adventures together on a daily basis. After noticing many couples were coming to us to book their honeymoons, we decided to feature a few of them and ask questions about their experience when they returned home.

To start things off, we sat down with Thomson Safaris staffer Andrew and his wife Alisa to talk about what it was like to honeymoon in the Serengeti.

First of all, congratulations on your marriage! What made you choose a safari over, say, exploring Europe or relaxing on an island somewhere for your honeymoon?

Andrew: While other beautiful locations like Costa Rica and Baja came up, our dream was really to go on safari. I had been to Tanzania twice before, and it’s the most awe-inspiring country I have ever visited. Literally every day you see something so beautiful it could bring you to tears. Of course, the wildlife is unbelievable – and we enjoyed a ton of mind-blowing wildlife – but for us I think it was also important that we learned something new on our honeymoon. Meeting so many warm and friendly local people and hearing their stories was something we couldn’t pass up.

The newlyweds posing with Nekaaki Kioki, a Maasai storyteller.

Alisa: We chose a safari because it’s an opportunity to experience, together, a part of the world you wouldn’t normally. You see and do truly special things that make for a once in a lifetime experience. Unlike the typical honeymoon destinations, a safari offers a more exciting, interactive, and educational experience that fosters growth upon entering marriage.

Alisa meeting with some of the local children.

You had already visited Tanzania twice before, but Alisa had never been. How do you think that influenced your experience together?

Andrew: My first two safaris were in 2008 and 2011 – and I had the time of my life on both safaris. This time around, it was an amazing privilege to be able to share this all with Alisa. It was so great to see her reaction when we woke up on that first morning in Arusha to the sound of Blue Monkeys in the trees – and later on when we saw wildebeests crossing the Mara River, which was something I hadn’t witnessed on my previous trips. Though, the best part of going on this trip together was being able to share my second home with the person I love more than anyone else. I must add that Alisa was 5 months pregnant on safari, so knowing that our unborn daughter was there with us too made the experience really special.

The honeymooners were able to get within yards of friendly giraffe.

Alisa outside of their Nyumba getting ready to start the day!

That’s so sweet! What were some other moments you’ll always remember about your trip?

Andrew: My favorite memory was in the central Serengeti when a large herd of elephants had a standoff with a pride of 20 lions feeding off a fresh kill. There were many young elephants, including a newborn calf, so there was a lot of tension when they came face-to-face. The elephants ganged up on the lions and pushed them off the kill in a loud and aggressive display. It was so intense. We were all utterly amazed.

Alisa: I’ll always remember the joy I felt while meeting the Maasai people who were curious, warm, kind, and very generous with their time and love. The children were so much fun to be around. This was by far one of the most valuable parts of our safari.

Kids being kids and modeling a pair of sunglasses.

That sounds amazing. How did the camp staff help make your honeymoon special?

Andrew: One evening in the northern Serengeti as everyone went off to dinner, the staff took us to a far-off section of camp for our very own private meal by a campfire. The table was decorated with a bouquet of flowers that the staff handpicked from around the camp. There aren’t many flowers in the Serengeti, so that was a nice added touch that meant a lot to us.

Alisa: The surprise bush dinners put together by the staff were so special because they gave us some time alone, away from the group. The scenery, delicious food, kind staff, and wildlife sounds came together to create a very magical and beautiful dining experience!

Thomson Safaris

Founded in 1981 and based in Watertown Massachusetts, Thomson Safaris has been handcrafting trips-of-a-lifetime for over 35 years. Tanzania is our only destination, and has truly become our second home. We’re excited to be able to share it with you through stories and features on our blog.